Red Cross Provides Help & Hope for 46 Displaced by Five Home/Apartment Fires in 24 Hours

By American Red Cross

Published: Monday, December 16, 2013 at 10:19 AM.

Disaster Action Team members for the Eastern NC Region of the American Red Cross have been providing help and hope for 12 families displaced by five different fire events in the past 24 hours. Red Cross volunteers and staff provided assistance with immediate emergency needs; including shelter, food, seasonal clothing, supplies, and support.

Red Cross workers arrived on scene of a multi-unit apartment fire in Goldsboro just before 5am Saturday morning. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, families were transported to the local chapter of the Red Cross where disaster volunteers provided comfort and support to the 20 residents, including 7 children, who were evacuated from their homes.

“This fire spread rapidly while most of the residents were still sleeping,” said Kathy Jones, Disaster Program Specialist for the Eastern NC Region of the American Red Cross, who was called to the scene of the Goldsboro fire along with a team of trained disaster volunteers. “Thankfully everyone escaped unharmed because all of the apartments had smoke alarms which alerted them to the danger.”

Red Cross disaster workers were also called on during the day and into Saturday evening to respond to four more single family and multi-unit fires in Winterville, Greenville, Kinston and Rocky Mount that displaced an additional 26 area residents, including 13 children.

“The situation any given day is bad but right near the holidays it can be even more stressful,” said Tammy Forrester, CEO for the Wayne and Lenoir County Chapters of the American Red Cross.

Volunteers met with all 12 families (26 adults and 20 children) whose homes were damaged or destroyed by fires on Saturday. The Red Cross provided for their immediate emergency needs including shelter, food, seasonal clothing, shoes, child and baby supplies, and emotional support. Additionally, individuals received comfort kits with hygiene and personal care items, Red Cross blankets, and other needs as identified. And, every child was given a special stuffed Mickey doll to bring them a little comfort and cheer during this difficult time.

“No one has to experience a disaster alone; your American Red Cross volunteers and staff are there to support our neighbors in need, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year,” said Bill Brent, Regional CEO. “Our thanks go out to the incredible Red Cross volunteers and community partners who provide both help and hope for eastern NC families affected by disasters each and every day.”

Disaster Action Team members for the Eastern NC Region of the American Red Cross have been providing help and hope for 12 families displaced by five different fire events in the past 24 hours. Red Cross volunteers and staff provided assistance with immediate emergency needs; including shelter, food, seasonal clothing, supplies, and support.

Red Cross workers arrived on scene of a multi-unit apartment fire in Goldsboro just before 5am Saturday morning. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, families were transported to the local chapter of the Red Cross where disaster volunteers provided comfort and support to the 20 residents, including 7 children, who were evacuated from their homes.

“This fire spread rapidly while most of the residents were still sleeping,” said Kathy Jones, Disaster Program Specialist for the Eastern NC Region of the American Red Cross, who was called to the scene of the Goldsboro fire along with a team of trained disaster volunteers. “Thankfully everyone escaped unharmed because all of the apartments had smoke alarms which alerted them to the danger.”

Red Cross disaster workers were also called on during the day and into Saturday evening to respond to four more single family and multi-unit fires in Winterville, Greenville, Kinston and Rocky Mount that displaced an additional 26 area residents, including 13 children.

“The situation any given day is bad but right near the holidays it can be even more stressful,” said Tammy Forrester, CEO for the Wayne and Lenoir County Chapters of the American Red Cross.

Volunteers met with all 12 families (26 adults and 20 children) whose homes were damaged or destroyed by fires on Saturday. The Red Cross provided for their immediate emergency needs including shelter, food, seasonal clothing, shoes, child and baby supplies, and emotional support. Additionally, individuals received comfort kits with hygiene and personal care items, Red Cross blankets, and other needs as identified. And, every child was given a special stuffed Mickey doll to bring them a little comfort and cheer during this difficult time.

“No one has to experience a disaster alone; your American Red Cross volunteers and staff are there to support our neighbors in need, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year,” said Bill Brent, Regional CEO. “Our thanks go out to the incredible Red Cross volunteers and community partners who provide both help and hope for eastern NC families affected by disasters each and every day.”

The Eastern NC Region of the American Red Cross responds to more than 700 home fires a year. Red Cross disaster relief includes emergency housing, food, clothing, medicine and medical supplies, eyeglasses, health services, and disaster counseling. Financial relief is typically used by clients at local businesses, thus pumping charitable contributions back into the communities we serve.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free and made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of disaster events in eastern NC and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. If you would like to help, please consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.